<p>I just wanna say, for future reference to all who are worried about applying ED to Swat for fear of not getting enough money, the financial aid Swat gives is incredible. Before I get into my specific story, just remember that they have 1.1 billion dollars for 1400 kids...that's mind boggling. Anyways, I was accepted at Bates, Skidmore and Swat, and Swat's aid in grants actually beats Skidmore's and Bates' gifts combined, which I find incredible. I've seen a lot of posts about people who didn't apply ED for financial reasons, and now regret it, and I really just wanted to put this here for future reference. Mine may be an exception, but take it for what it's worth.</p>
<p>Congratulations, NJPitcher, I am sure you will be a real asset for Swat! So is your decision made yet?</p>
<p>collegialmom: you're kidding right?</p>
<p>I thought maybe he was holding out for Stanford?</p>
<p>Haha, my Stanford dreams died in 8th grade. My decision was made back in September, I just needed to get in, that's all :)</p>
<p>It really is. I was literally jumping for joy when I saw my package. Unless my feelings significantly change at Ride the Tide, then Swarthmore will be my destination this fall.</p>
<p>I haven't received my financial aid award yet so wish me luck! My admission said that some documents were missing. Swarthmore sent me a letter with what was missing a few weeks ago, and I thought I had made sure everything was sent in. Everything should have had plenty of time to get to Swarthmore (about 3 weeks). I'm sort of nervous now as I thought I sent everything in, but haven't been sure. I e-mailed Swarthmore Thursday and haven't received a response yet--I gues I'll have to call Monday if I still don't get a response.</p>
<p>Right now I'm debating between a cost of about $20,000 a year to go to UChicago, $3,000 a year for Miami (Oxford), and whatever Swarthmore gives me. All of this is making me pretty nervous. I guess going to college was just going to happen "some day" but it's becoming more and more real every day and I don't want to make the wrong decision. Oh well, I bet a lot of people are in a similar boat as me. Good luck to everyone else with financial aid and making their decisions.</p>
<p>Anyone else potentially in the same boat as deciding between UChicago and Swarthmore?</p>
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Anyone else potentially in the same boat as deciding between UChicago and Swarthmore?
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</p>
<p>Ha. Does a bear you know what in the woods? I would say after watching this forum for a couple of years, that may be the most common single choice students ask about.</p>
<p>There are obvious similarities: the two schools have reputations as the two most "academical", "intellectual (whatever that means)", and rigorous schools in the country -- along with the tech schools like MIT and CalTech.</p>
<p>Of course, there are equally obvious differences. Urban versus suburban. Small undergrad only college versus research university with a very large grad student focus.</p>
<p>The comparison is different for each student. Because Chicago offers merit aid discounts and Swarthmore is strictly need-based aid, there can be significant price differences for one student and not for another. So, it probably doesn't help for us to offer "generic" recommendations that don't take into account your situation.</p>
<p>Personally? If the price were the same, I would chose Swarthmore by a mile for undergrad. Not because it's inherently "better", but because the focus on undergrad teaching is 100% instead of divided among undergrads, grad students, and research. A research university simply cannot offer the boutique style of educational experience Swarthmore does. But, they are both so good that you have to factor everything into the equation, including the price that each individual student has to pay.</p>
<p>Same thing happened to me Grad06. My finaid is still incomplete after having thought that I had sent everything in when I received the first request.</p>
<p>I'm praying that my financial aid package will be good because I really want to go to Swat. My efc is about 18k, and my parents aren't sure if we'd be able to afford over 24k.</p>
<p>Hopefully, things will work out.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>